Following Elon Musk’s takeover of microblogging platform Twitter, the Nigerian government has stated that it is monitoring developments surrounding the platform’s change in ownership.
On Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, addressed the media with the government’s position.
According to the Minister, the federal government will not allow any platform to induce a national emergency.
Following Twitter’s acquisition by a new owner, the government has stated that it will continue to monitor the platform’s developments.
The Minister stated that last year’s suspension of the platform was due to the propensity of certain elements to use it to destabilize Nigeria through the dissemination of fake news, disinformation, and hate speech.
Mohammed warned that the government has no intention of prohibiting any media outlet from carrying out its duties. However, it would not permit any platform to be utilized to plunge the nation into anarchy.
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The minister stated, “Many have called to ask us what will become of our agreement with Twitter in view of the change in its ownership.
The minister stated, “Many have called to ask us what will become of our agreement with Twitter in view of the change in its ownership.
“Many have asked for our reaction following reports that there has been a spike in fake news, disinformation and hate speech since the micro-blogging site changed ownership.
“Many have even asked us if another ban is in the offing?
“Let me say this: We are closely monitoring the evolving developments at Twitter. It has never been our intention to ban any social media platform or stifle free speech. Not at all.
“What happened in the case of Twitter is well known to all. Twitter became a platform of choice for those who want to destabilise Nigeria, using fake news, disinformation and hate speech.
“No nation will allow any social media platform to plunge it into anarchy. Definitely not Nigeria.
“But we have continued to engage positively with the different social media platforms, including Facebook, Google (owners of YouTube) and Twitter.
“We have no intention of banning any social media platform again. But we will also not sit by and allow any platform whatsoever to throw our nation into crisis,” the minister said.
